Credit: The Associated Press

St. Louis Blues' Alexander Steen (20) scores the game-winning goal past Chicago Blackhawks goalie Corey Crawford and Niklas Hjalmarsson (4) as Blues' Steve Ott (29) and Blackhawks' Johnny Oduya (27), of Sweden, watch during the third overtime in Game 1 of a first-round NHL hockey Stanley Cup playoff series Thursday, April 17, 2014, in St. Louis. The Blues won 4-3 in triple overtime. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)

ST. LOUIS — A mood of euphoric exhaustion carried over to the next day after the St. Louis Blues won the longest game in franchise history and got the upper hand against the defending Stanley Cup champions.

Defenseman Alex Pietrangelo's legs were stiff and he said it felt as if the Blues played two games to beat the Chicago Blackhawks 4-3 in triple overtime in the opener of their opening-round playoff series. But he had a smile on his face.